Juan Carlos Ferrero (left) poses with Carlos Alcaraz after the Spanish player defeated Alexander Zverev in the Roland Garros final, in Paris, France on 9/6/2024. Photo: Reuters

Sports fans, not just tennis enthusiasts, are wondering why the two of you are no longer working together.

Well, let's see... The situation seemed like it would continue to be positive. Every year, we would sit down to review some contractual matters. As with every contract signed for the following year, there were certain points we disagreed on. In all negotiations, each party seeks to maximize their own interests.

Carlos's representatives considered what was best for him, and from my side, I also considered what was best for myself. Consequently, there were some issues where both sides did not agree. Perhaps these could have been resolved if we had sat down to talk, but ultimately, we didn't, and we decided not to continue. That is the true root cause. I will not go into details, but fundamentally, we disagreed, and in the end, we went our separate ways.

But in your social media announcement, you expressed a desire to continue working with Alcaraz?

In terms of results and our relationship, 2025 was excellent. We never had any arguments. The addition of Samuel Lopez brought new energy to the team, allowing the relationship to potentially extend into the future. It was a successful year, and when it concluded in Turin, Italy, it is true that all of us intended to continue. Then, what I mentioned happened, and we parted ways, but initially, the intention was to continue, and that is why I stated that in the announcement.

After seven years with Alcaraz, what is your most unforgettable memory?

There are so many! One of the memories I cherish most is the period when he was between 15 and 18 years old. That was a wonderful time when we experienced everything together: from training sessions, tournaments, to long days in hotels. We were always inseparable on every trip. Witnessing Carlos's growth, going through experiences together, and achieving mostly sweet results, despite occasional unexpected setbacks, was truly a journey I deeply remember.

I often confided in Carlos that I missed the period when he was playing Challenger tournaments, small events that truly showed his desire to rise and his intense will to climb the ranks. Once at the top, the goals gradually changed, and there were fewer ranks to climb or new things to discover and teach. Everything gradually shifted towards a path of maintenance and systematic refinement.

In the initial phase, learning was always rapid, full of excitement with diverse lessons. After we moved past that stepping stone, all the major important tournaments became unforgettable moments. Each Grand Slam we won held its own significance. Especially the most recent Roland Garros, the most challenging tournament we ever experienced. After all, I choose to retain only the most positive memories.

Were there any difficult moments or sour notes?

I cannot say there was anything negative. For me, the journey with Carlos was incredibly fulfilling. This was a fortunate connection for both of us. Carlos found a coach with enough experience to guide him from the beginning. I say fortunate because it is often not easy to find a mentor who dedicates all their time in such a way.

And I was fortunate to meet a talent with an incredibly fast learning pace. When I arrived, Carlos already had an impressive technical, physical, and mental foundation; our job was simply to help him break through together. Carlos always gave his best, providing every condition for the coaching team to work most effectively. Finding someone who reaches Carlos's level is unimaginable. I think both of us are grateful to have met.

When you decided to bet on Alcaraz, you had just finished coaching Alexander Zverev and had an offer from a top 10 player.

That is right. But at that time, I was very clear that I needed a new chapter in my career. I wanted to work with someone willing to listen, observe, and learn everything to improve, someone who showed clear eagerness on their face every day they stepped onto the practice court. After my time with Zverev, I needed a new atmosphere. As soon as this opportunity arose, I did not hesitate, even though other prominent names approached me.

You had already planned Alcaraz's 2026 preseason, hadn't you?

That plan was developed by Samuel and me, and I have now handed it over entirely to him. Samuel is fully aware of everything, so they do not need to change any details; everything has been properly arranged.

Initially, you also intended to accompany Alcaraz at the Australian Open?

Indeed. Clearly, this is a sudden change for everyone, and adapting is not easy. Honestly, for me, the parting is not pleasant at all. After all, our relationship lasted for many years; we went through too many emotions together, so the bond is very strong. We poured our hearts into every training session, every important situation on the court, living it intensely. In the end, everything was completely turned upside down.

Ferrero discusses with Alcaraz on the practice court during the BNP Paribas Open, at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, California, US on 6/3/2024. Photo: Reuters

Will this change affect Alcaraz's performance in the short term?

Possibly. Such sudden changes obviously always cause certain temporary difficulties. However, from a professional perspective, I believe Carlos has enough strength to overcome this and will be in Australia in top form. Samuel understands Carlos very well. He worked alongside me for a long time when we coached together at the academy, and over the past year, Samuel has also accumulated enough experience to independently take on the role of Carlos's head coach.

Did you notice any signs of strain or fatigue in your relationship with Alcaraz?

When working together for too long, fatigue is unavoidable. Constant travel and long periods away from home will certainly wear down one's mental state. However, the team members always supported each other well. In fact, one of the reasons we brought Samuel into the team was to reduce pressure and help prevent relationships from eroding. Those weeks of working together were very useful; they brought new perspectives and different ways of communicating, though still aiming for common goals. We applied that method to prevent any cooling off within the team.

Do you regret not having had the chance to implement plans to further develop Alcaraz or win another title?

The Australian Open is a title we have pursued for the past two years but have not yet won. However, both of us can be at peace because we gave our best; there is nothing to regret. Although we have not yet won the Australian Open together, we have achieved other important milestones. The core objective was to help Carlos grow and become a great player, true to his inherent potential. At 22 years old, Carlos still has significant room for development. If one only looks at rankings, it is easy to become complacent, but the team understands very well what needs to be improved psychologically, physically, and technically. They must not stop, and I believe they will continue to move forward.

Was transforming Alcaraz into a professional player an achievement for you?

That was a goal, but the most essential aspect was helping him mature both as a person and in his career. I wanted Carlos to integrate well into this complex tennis world. Once he became famous and a contender for every tournament, helping him endure the pressure was crucial. Pressure is always present; the public always expects him to win. The top priority then was to help Carlos feel comfortable and maintain motivation in tournaments. When achieving much success, the passion must remain, and we always focused on that.

What are you most proud of?

I gave my all. I poured my heart into this project. I invested a lot of time, passion, and effort. I also feel fortunate to have found a team and collaborators who trusted me, allowing me to fully express myself. Ultimately, I feel incredibly grateful. When I started with Carlos at 15 years old, we saw a talent with great potential, but we could not fully imagine what was to come. We worked with great excitement, but seeing dreams come true is never easy. I maintain a sense of peace because I completed my mission, and I hope everyone will appreciate that achievement.

Can it be said that you were more than just a tennis coach?

I will let Carlos answer that. I simply tried to fulfill the role I was entrusted with: always being there to push him to work, helping him find joy, and learning continuously. When he was young, besides his family, the person he trusted needed to give 100% effort, and that is what I did.

Is your relationship with Alcaraz still as good as it was at the beginning, or have time and his maturity changed it?

It was always excellent. We had a close, strong coach-player relationship, and later, a solid friendship.

Could the two of you play golf together in the future?

Perhaps both of us need time to accept this parting. It is not easy. Right now, I still feel sad. Relationships like these cannot just end immediately; a period of quiet is needed to heal. I suspect I will feel even more heartbroken when I see him play in upcoming tournaments. At that time, many memories will rush back. I think it will take some time to get used to it.

Many speculations have been made about this breakup. Is there anything that particularly bothers you because the story has been distorted so far from the truth?

Some people mentioned money. I have proven since my youth that money is not a top priority in my decisions. Some even said I demanded more, but the truth is that Carlos's side always treated me very kindly, giving me a very high percentage to acknowledge the initial years I dedicated myself to him. I am grateful for that. Ultimately, I want to clarify that monetary motivation was never an obstacle, nor was it the reason I joined this project.

Were there any conflicts or clashes of interest between your academy and Alcaraz's?

I want to believe not. Clearly, Carlos has only just begun this journey and wants to build a significant academy, which is reasonable. We never saw each other as rivals. On the contrary, we always provided maximum support to ensure he had the best conditions here. I do not accept some reports that I forced Carlos to come to Villena or made him adapt to me. That is completely false. Over the past two years, we gradually understood that with a demanding schedule, Carlos wanted to spend more time at home. At that point, our team was the one that had to be flexible with travel. We always kept the academy open for him to train whenever needed, never forcing him. This is also something I want to clarify.

When you decided not to sign a contract extension, did you speak directly with Carlos to inform him that you were no longer his coach?

No. Before that, I asked if he was fully aware of the situation, and he confirmed he was. After that, I only worked with the relevant responsible parties. I did not want to involve Carlos because I understood he already knew the situation well. If a common agreement could not be reached, then Carlos's representatives had to protect his interests, and I handled my own affairs. It is perfectly normal for him to side with his own interests.

Alcaraz discusses with Ferrero during the match against Jack Draper in round 4 of the Australian Open, at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia on 19/1/2025. Photo: Reuters

Samuel is likely to stay on as Alcaraz's head coach. Did the two of you discuss this?

Yes, I spoke with him. It would be selfish if I asked Samuel to leave as well. I considered Samuel's family and career, which are important because he has been coaching for a long time. Working with Carlos is a reward for his many years of effort at the academy and in tournaments with other players. One should not be selfish, but rather understanding. Although I cannot deny that I am sad, due to the long-standing relationship between Samuel and me. If he stays, accepting the offer to be head coach, just like with Carlos, I will need some time to adapt. But once everything was decided, I felt a sense of relief. Now is the time to close the old chapter and embrace everything in the most positive way.

Have you left the shared WhatsApp group yet?

Yes, what is meant to happen will happen. When I said goodbye to everyone, after confirming we were not continuing, I bid farewell to all. Afterwards, there were still private messages sent, which I greatly appreciate.

Do you think Samuel is capable enough to be Alcaraz's head coach?

He has experience and has worked with various types of players. The past year working alongside us was the best preparation for Samuel. However, he needs to prepare mentally very thoroughly, as I often joke that Carlos is a "heavy and formidable freight train." This responsibility is significant, and Samuel needs to know how to manage a high-caliber team. He needs to adapt. But he already understands the team from within, and that is an advantage.

Have you received many messages of encouragement from colleagues in the profession?

Yes, and I am very grateful. The achievements with Carlos and the legacy left behind have touched many people. What is valuable is that I received messages from more people than I initially imagined. Many people messaged, expressing surprise, while also congratulating and encouraging me.

Some suggest that your tennis and life philosophy might be more suited to Jannik Sinner.

I adjusted my style as much as possible for Carlos. Currently, I am not considering any other options because I need 2-3 months to calm down and overcome the sadness. After that, if another opportunity arises, I will consider it. After all, it has been almost eight years of non-stop work and long periods away from home. Being home now is precious.

If you receive an offer from Sinner in the future, would you accept it?

If so, I would have to consider it. Carlos and Jannik are both excellent players, but as I said, now is not the time to think about that or say yes or no. Now is the time to get through this immediate period because every day I still think about Carlos, and it is not yet time to think about others.

Alcaraz is only 22 years old. Could the two of you reunite in the future?

Of course, I will always keep the possibility open. Given the relationship we built, severing ties completely would not be appropriate for him or the entire team. I want to end things amicably with them. Disagreeing on some points does not mean we are no longer friends or that we cannot maintain a good relationship. I wish Carlos all the best and believe he has the potential to become the greatest player in history, something I have said many times. Even without me, he still has capable collaborators to provide the best support.

When you are ready to return to coaching, will you prioritize another "raw gem" or an already established player?

It is difficult to think about that right now, but I am not sure if I am willing to reinvest all the necessary time into polishing another young player. After the journey I have experienced, I lean towards an already established player, partly to spend more time with my family. I prefer experienced players who are already established in the professional system rather than those who need guidance from scratch.

Many people say Alcaraz needs to be coached by a Grand Slam champion.

Not necessarily. Carlos needs a companion who helps him feel comfortable, instills confidence, values, and a work ethic. It needs to be a relationship where just a glance towards the technical area means both understand what the other wants to say. Someone who provides the necessary calm when he is stressed or offers specific tactics against certain opponents. That person does not have to be a famous player or one who has competed in many Grand Slams. It is true that in the early stages, my experience helped him a lot. But now Carlos has accumulated enough.

When the Australian Open begins, will you sit in front of the TV to watch Alcaraz or try to ignore it?

It is hard not to watch him. I was fortunate to witness firsthand how Carlos plays. I think he has an impressive charisma, and his playing style captivates me. I hope I will be brave enough to continue following and become his fan, like so many others.

Will you then miss those moments of constantly instructing him after every rally?

I will not, but I do not know if he will. I am not thinking about that now, but when the Australian Open happens, many memories will flood back. Right now, I need to get through this heartbreaking period first, instead of dwelling on distant thoughts.

Hoang Thong (according to MARCA)